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Orange County is now the largest county in California to adopt Laura’s Law, which is aimed at protecting and supporting citizens suffering from mental illness. Vikki Vargas reports from Fullerton for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2014. (Published Tuesday, May 13, 2014)

Updated at 3:56 AM PDT on Wednesday, May 14, 2014

A law designed to help protect the severely mentally ill and the public was passed on Tuesday by the Orange County supervisors.

Laura's Law, named after Laura Wilcox, a mental health worker killed by a man who refused psychiatric treatment, would create an outpatient program for homeless people. The law could provide for court-ordered treatment under the state.

State Program Unused Locally for Mentally Ill

Health experts explain why Laura's Law is not used in San Diego and what could happen if local officials took advantage of the program. (Published Tuesday, Mar 12, 2013)

Supporters of the law, including some who have struggled with mental health issues, encouraged supervisors to approve the program.

Mother Urges County to Use Laura's Law

Michelle Kwik, whose son died when he threatened deputies in Encinitas, tells NBC 7 reporter Megan Tevrizian about the importance of a law that would aid people with mental illnesses. (Published Thursday, Mar 14, 2013)

Ron Thomas, father of Kelly Thomas -- the homeless man beaten to death in a struggle with Fullerton police -- told supervisors that a version of Laura's Law may have helped his son, who he said had struggled with schizophrenia.